VEP and PERG in patients with multiple sclerosis, with and without a history of optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: Visual electrophysiology is routinely used to detect the visual complications of multiple sclerosis, but the analysis mostly focuses on visual evoked potential (VEP) and especially the P100 component. Our goal was to analyze the components and waveform alterations of VEPs and pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with good vision. METHODS: The main VEP and PERG components of 85 patients with MS were analyzed in two groups: 38 patients who had optic neuritis in their history (ON group) and 47 patients who had never had optic neuritis (MS group). The results were compared against a control group of 47 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Both VEP and PERG alterations occurred in a greater number of patients than expected, and these alterations were not necessarily linked to ON in the history or a deterioration of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Both VEP and PERG can detect dysfunction in the visual system in MS, even if the patient has no subjective symptoms. Even if PERG is not routinely used in neuro-ophthalmology, the results suggest that PERG assessment may provide useful information describing the retinal defect in MS.

Spin-stretching modes in anisotropic magnets: spin-wave excitations in the multiferroic Ba2CoGe2O7.

We studied spin excitations in the magnetically ordered phase of the noncentrosymmetric Ba(2)CoGe(2)O(7) in high magnetic fields up to 33 T. In the electron spin resonance and far infrared absorption spectra we found several spin excitations beyond the two conventional magnon modes expected for such a two-sublattice antiferromagnet. We show that a multiboson spin-wave theory describes these unconventional modes, including spin-stretching modes, characterized by an oscillating magnetic dipole and quadrupole moment. The lack of inversion symmetry allows each mode to become electric dipole active. We expect that the spin-stretching modes can be generally observed in inelastic neutron scattering and light absorption experiments in a broad class of ordered S > 1/2 spin systems with strong single-ion anisotropy and/or noncentrosymmetric lattice structure.

Single-Crystalline (KC60)n: A Conducting Linear Alkali Fulleride Polymer.

Single crystals of a linear cycloadduct conducting polymer, (KC(60))n, have been grown that are a few tenths of a millimeter in length. Partial oxidation under toluene transformed these crystals into bundles of fibers. The degree of polymerization exceeded 100,000.

Giant microwave absorption in fine powders of superconductors.

Enhanced microwave absorption, larger than that in the normal state, is observed in fine grains of type-II superconductors (MgB2 and K3C60) for magnetic fields as small as a few % of the upper critical field. The effect is predicted by the theory of vortex motion in type-II superconductors, however its direct observation has been elusive due to skin-depth limitations; conventional microwave absorption studies employ larger samples where the microwave magnetic field exclusion significantly lowers the absorption. We show that the enhancement is observable in grains smaller than the penetration depth. A quantitative analysis on K3C60 in the framework of the Coffey-Clem (CC) theory explains well the temperature dependence of the microwave absorption and also allows to determine the vortex pinning force constant.

Characterisation of the muscarinic receptor subtype M3 in the bovine zona fasciculata-reticularis cells by receptor binding, mRNA and functional studies.

In the present work we have investigated which muscarinic (M) receptor subtype is responsible for the steroidogenic effect of muscarinic agonists in bovine zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZFR) cells in culture. Radioligand binding studies using the muscarinic antagonist [(3)H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([(3)H]QNB) demonstrated binding sites of high affinity (K(d)=0.45 nM) and low capacity ( approximately 8000 sites/cell). Pharmacological characterisation of muscarinic receptors was assessed by evaluating the effects of the M(3)>M(1)>>M(2) antagonist 4-DAMP (4-diphenylacetyl-N-methylpiperidine) and the M(1)=M(4)> M(3)>>M(2) antagonist pirenzepine on the binding of [(3)H]QNB and carbachol-induced cortisol production. For both parameters, the potency of 4-DAMP was about two orders of magnitude higher than that of pirenzepine. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analysis of bovine ZFR mRNAs using specific primers for M(2), M(3) and M(4) receptors revealed the expression of only M(3) mRNA. Moreover, carbachol significantly stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation, but had no inhibitory effect on basal or ACTH-induced cAMP production. Indeed, carbachol potentiated ACTH-induced cAMP production and this effect was, in part, mediated through protein kinase C. Lastly, neomycin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide turnover, significantly attenuated carbachol-evoked cortisol production. Thus, pharmacological, biochemical and mRNA studies indicate that the M(3) receptor subtype is responsible for the biological effects of muscarinic agonists in bovine ZFR cells.

ATP and [3H]noradrenaline release and the presence of ecto-Ca(2+)-ATPases in the capsule-glomerulosa fraction of the rat adrenal gland.

Both [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and ATP were released in response to supramaximal electric field stimulation in superfused rat adrenal capsule-glomerulosa preparations. The voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine enhanced, while the ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker glibenclamide failed to affect the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]NA. The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist CH-38083 enhanced the evoked release of [3H]NA while the P2 receptor agonist ATP and alpha, beta-methylene-ATP failed to affect it. Neither the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA) nor the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) influenced the stimulation-evoked [3H]NA release. The data showed that ATP was released from capsule-glomerulosa preparations in response to field stimulation together with but independently from [3H]NA, and that the local noradrenergic varicose axon terminals are not equipped with purinoceptors sensitive to ATP and/or adenosine. High concentrations of ATP also stimulated steroid hormone secretion in vitro, and thus may have a physiological role in this tissue. The presence of ecto-Ca(2+)-ATPases, enzymes able to terminate the effect of ATP, was demonstrated around the nerve profiles at the border of the capsule and zona glomerulosa tissue.

Cholinergic regulation of the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.

Using histochemical and immunocytochemical methods, cholinergic nerve fibres were demonstrated in the rat adrenal cortex, primarily in the capsule and zona glomerulosa, and in the medulla. Some terminated among the glomerulosa cells or around blood vessels. Occasional fibres were also seen in the fasciculata, ending in islets of chromaffin tissue without ramifications on cortical cells. To clarify the role of cholinergic innervation, a microvolume perifusion system was used to study steroid production by the rat adrenal capsule-glomerulosa. Acetylcholine (ACh) itself had no reproducible effects; however, since variable amounts of endogenous ACh were present, the actions of antagonists were also studied. The M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10 and 100 microM) stimulated aldosterone secretion. This stimulation was abolished by co-incubation with carbachol, the M1 agonist McN A-343 and by atropine. We found that the action of pirenzepine was blocked by nifedipine (Ca2+ channel blocker), suggesting that pirenzepine (through release of endogenous ACh) provides an acute stimulus by enhancing Ca2+ inflow. Hemicholine, a choline uptake blocker, reduced the stimulatory effect of pirenzepine on steroid secretion, confirming that stimulation was of neural origin. Neither the non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine, the selective M1-M3 muscarinic receptor antagonist 4-DAMP, nor the selective M2 muscarinic receptor antagonist methoctramine influenced aldosterone output. Receptor-binding studies revealed the existence of M3 receptors in capsule-glomerulosa homogenates. We conclude that pirenzepine acts on presynaptic M1 autoreceptors to increase spontaneous ACh release from varicose axon terminals that lie in close proximity to the glomerulosa cells. In turn ACh may thus stimulate steroidogenesis acutely through M3 receptors. These results support the concept of a direct cholinergic influence on zona glomerulosa function in the rat.

Carbachol induces homologous steroidogenic refractoriness of bovine fasciculata-reticularis cells.

Recently it was shown that the cholinergic agonist carbachol stimulates cortisol production in bovine ZFR cells via muscarinic receptor M(3). In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic cholinergic stimulation on steroidogenic response and muscarinic receptor regulation in ZFR cells. Cortisol secretion of ZFR cells treated with 10(-4) M of carbachol decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The carbachol-elicited loss of response was associated with a decrease in M(3) receptor number, which was also time- and dose-dependent. The down-regulation of the receptors was not associated with the decrease of M(3) receptor mRNA level. The marked steroidogenic desensitization caused by pretreatment of carbachol did not alter ACTH or angiotensin II activated steroid response. Northern blot analysis showed that carbachol pretreatment did not change the gene expression of P450scc, P450cl7, 3betaHSD and StAR mRNAs. These results suggest that carbachol induces homologous steroidogenic refractoriness of ZFR cells.

Increased yield of F VIII from pooled plasma vs. single-donor plasma in the production of cryoprecipitates.

Coagulation factor VIII:C yield was studied in two types of cryoprecipitates. The first group contained products from single-donor plasma units. The other group contained cryoprecipitates which were produced from pooled plasma. The volume of plasma/bag was not different between the two groups, but both the yield and the total content of F VIII:C in cryoprecipitates were significantly different. The yield of F VIII:C was higher (+20% in relative terms) in cryoprecipitates produced from pooled plasma, resulting in higher potency of such products. The positive effect of plasma pooling on the recovery of F VIII:C might be a result of reassembly of factor VIII subunits of different individuals in the plasma pools. The findings may have a role also in large-scale production of F VIII concentrates.

X-ray microanalytical study of Mn and Fe compartmentation in maize chloroplasts.

X-ray microanalysis of mesophyll and bundle sheath maize chloroplasts showed that bound manganese is located within thylakoids, whereas bound iron is equally present in thylakoids and stroma. A simple correlation between manganese content and oxygen evolution capacity (Photosystem II activity) is unlikely since Mn is also present in bundle sheath thylakoids of low Photosystem II activity. A major part of manganese has probably a distinct function and only a minor part plays a role in the process of oxygen evolution.